U.S. patent number 7,810,210 [Application Number 12/151,877] was granted by the patent office on 2010-10-12 for cleaner having a handle for carrying a dust container and a cleaner body.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Ji-won Seo, Dong-hun Yoo.
United States Patent |
7,810,210 |
Yoo , et al. |
October 12, 2010 |
Cleaner having a handle for carrying a dust container and a cleaner
body
Abstract
A cleaner is provided in which a handle for a dust receptacle
can also be used as a handle for a cleaner body. The cleaner
includes a cleaner body which includes a dust receptacle receiving
unit, a dust receptacle which is detachably mounted on the dust
receptacle receiving unit and includes a handle, a moving unit
which moves the dust receptacle on the dust receptacle receiving
unit to be fixed to the cleaner body, and a connection unit which
fixes the dust receptacle to the cleaner body at two or more places
according to the movement of the dust receptacle. Since the dust
receptacle is firmly connected to the cleaner body by the
connection unit, the handle can be used to carry the cleaner body
as well as the dust receptacle.
Inventors: |
Yoo; Dong-hun (Gwangju,
KR), Seo; Ji-won (Gwangju, KR) |
Assignee: |
Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co.
Ltd. (Gwangju, KR)
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Family
ID: |
39767489 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/151,877 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2008 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20090144930 A1 |
Jun 11, 2009 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Dec 5, 2007 [KR] |
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10-2007-0125734 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/351; 15/335;
15/327.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
9/325 (20130101); A47L 5/225 (20130101); A47L
9/1463 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
5/32 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;15/350-353,335,327.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1669015 |
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Jun 2006 |
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EP |
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2377881 |
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Jan 2003 |
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GB |
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1020020092563 |
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Dec 2002 |
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KR |
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1020060107629 |
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Oct 2006 |
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KR |
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1020060107630 |
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Oct 2006 |
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KR |
|
Other References
British Combined Search and Examination Report dated Dec. 4, 2008
corresponding to Application No. GB0814244.0. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Redding; David A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero &
Perle, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cleaner comprising: a cleaner body which comprises a dust
receptacle receiving unit; a dust receptacle which is detachably
mounted on the dust receptacle receiving unit and comprises a
handle; a moving unit which moves the dust receptacle on the dust
receptacle receiving unit; and a connection unit which fixes the
dust receptacle to the cleaner body in two or more places according
to the movement of the dust receptacle, wherein the handle of the
dust receptacle is usable to carry the cleaner body, wherein the
connection unit comprises: a first connection member which fixes a
lower part of the dust receptacle to the cleaner body; and a second
connection member which fixes an upper part of the dust receptacle
to the cleaner body, wherein the second connection member
comprises: a rib member which is formed on the dust receptacle; and
a groove member which is formed on the cleaner body to be connected
to the rib, wherein: the rib member comprises a first rib which has
a ring shape and is formed circumferentially around the dust
receptacle; and the groove member comprises a first groove which is
connected to the first rib, wherein: the rib member further
comprises a second rib which has a ring shape and is formed
circumferentially around a dust inlet of the dust receptacle; and
the groove member further comprises a second groove which is
connected to the second rib.
2. A cleaner comprising: a cleaner body which comprises a dust
receptacle receiving unit; a dust receptacle which is detachably
mounted on the dust receptacle receiving unit and comprises a
handle; a moving unit which moves the dust receptacle on the dust
receptacle receiving unit; and a connection unit which fixes the
dust receptacle to the cleaner body in two or more places according
to the movement of the dust receptacle, wherein the handle of the
dust receptacle is usable to carry the cleaner body, wherein the
connection unit comprises: a first connection member which fixes a
lower part of the dust receptacle to the cleaner body; and a second
connection member which fixes an upper part of the dust receptacle
to the cleaner body, wherein the second connection member
comprises: a groove member which is formed on the dust receptacle;
and a rib member which is formed on the cleaner body to be
connected to the groove, wherein: the groove member comprises a
first groove which has a ring shape and is formed circumferentially
around the dust receptacle; and the rib member comprises a first
rib which is connected to the first groove.
3. The cleaner of claim 2, wherein: the groove member further
comprises a second groove which has a ring shape and is formed
circumferentially around the dust inlet of the dust receptacle; and
the rib member further comprises a second rib which is connected to
the second groove.
4. A cleaner comprising: a cleaner body which comprises a dust
receptacle receiving unit; a dust receptacle which is detachably
mounted on the dust receptacle receiving unit and comprises a
handle; a moving unit which moves the dust receptacle on the dust
receptacle receiving unit; and a connection unit which fixes the
dust receptacle to the cleaner body in two or more places according
to the movement of the dust receptacle, wherein the handle of the
dust receptacle is usable to carry the cleaner body, wherein the
dust receptacle comprises: a cover which is formed on the lower
part of the dust receptacle to rotate about a hinge axis.
5. The cleaner of claim 4, wherein the dust receptacle further
comprises: a cover fixing unit which fixes the cover to the dust
receptacle; a cover releasing unit which releases the cover from
the dust receptacle; and a button which operates the cover
releasing unit.
6. The cleaner of claim 5, wherein the button is formed on the
handle.
7. The cleaner of claim 5, wherein: the cover fixing unit is formed
on the cover, and comprises: a hook which is formed of an elastic
material; and an eye which is formed on the dust receptacle to
receive the hook.
8. The cleaner of claim 7, wherein: the cover releasing unit
releases the cover from the dust receptacle by pressing one side of
the hook.
9. A cleaner comprising: a brush assembly which draws in dust-laden
air from a cleaning surface; a cleaner body which is in fluid
communication with the brush assembly, and comprises a dust
receptacle receiving unit; a dust receptacle which is detachably
mounted on the dust receptacle receiving unit and comprises a
handle; a moving unit which moves the dust receptacle on the dust
receptacle receiving unit to be fixed to the cleaner body; and a
connection unit which fixes the dust receptacle to the cleaner body
in two or more places according to the movement of the dust
receptacle, so that the handle of the dust receptacle is useable to
carry the cleaner body; and a support unit which supports the
cleaner body to be detachably mounted on the brush assembly.
10. The cleaner of claim 9, wherein the brush assembly comprises: a
brush; and a suction pipe which is connected to the brush assembly,
and the supporting unit is formed on the suction pipe.
11. The cleaner of claim 9, wherein the supporting unit comprises:
a locking unit which fixes the cleaner body to a suction pipe; and
a receiving unit which receives a lower part of the cleaner
body.
12. The cleaner of claim 9, further comprising an upright handle
which is formed on an upper part of the cleaner body to be gripped
by a user when the cleaner is used as an upright cleaner.
13. The cleaner of claim 9, wherein the cleaner is used as both
upright cleaner and canister cleaner.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 of
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0125734, filed in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 5, 2007, the entire disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a cleaner, and more particularly
to a cleaner having a handle for carrying a dust container and a
cleaner body.
2. Description of the Related Art
A general cleaner includes a cleaner body including a motor that
generates a suction force, a brush that draws in dust-laden air,
and a dust separation unit that separates dust from the air drawn
in through the brush, collects the dust, and externally discharges
the air from which dust has been thereby separated. The separated
dust is collected in a dust receptacle.
If the cleaner is used for a long period of time, the dust
receptacle may become full of dust and contaminants. In order to
empty the dust receptacle, the dust receptacle is detachably
mounted in the cleaner body. In general, the dust receptacle has a
handle to be held by a user, so the user can detach the dust
receptacle from the cleaner body and carry the dust receptacle to
dump the collected dust.
In general, elasticity of a spring or a projectile is used to
connect the dust receptacle to the cleaner body or disconnect the
dust receptacle from the cleaner body, but such connections do not
stand a heavy load. Therefore, a canister cleaner in which the
cleaner body must be lifted and carried needs a separate handle for
the cleaner body as well as a handle for the dust receptacle. That
is, a general canister cleaner has a handle for the dust receptacle
and a handle for the cleaner body separately. As a result, there is
a problem of requiring additional process for manufacturing the
handles and increasing the number of components. Furthermore, since
a space for forming the handle for the cleaner body is needed, the
entire volume of the cleaner increases and the degree of freedom in
designing the exterior of the cleaner decreases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure is to solve at
least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at
least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of
embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaner in
which a handle for a dust receptacle can also be used as a handle
for a cleaner body so that the handle for the cleaner body is not
needed separately.
In order to achieve the above-described and other aspects of
embodiments of the present disclosure, a cleaner is provided
including a cleaner body that comprises a dust receptacle receiving
unit, a dust receptacle that is detachably mounted on the dust
receptacle receiving unit and comprises a handle, a moving unit
that moves the dust receptacle on the dust receptacle receiving
unit to be fixed to the cleaner body, and a connection unit that
fixes the dust receptacle to the cleaner body in two or more places
according to the movement of the dust receptacle, wherein the
handle of the dust receptacle is usable as a handle to carry the
cleaner body.
The connection unit may include a first connection member that
fixes a lower part of the dust receptacle to the cleaner body, and
a second connection member that fixes an upper part of the dust
receptacle to the cleaner body.
The first connection member may include a hook that is formed on
the dust receptacle, and an eye that is formed on the cleaner body
and in which the hook is connected.
The first connection member may include a rib that is formed on the
dust receptacle, and a groove that is formed on the cleaner body to
be connected to the rib.
The rib may include a first rib that has a ring shape and is formed
around the circumference of the dust receptacle, and the groove may
include a first groove that is connected to the first rib.
The rib may include a second rib that has a ring shape and is
formed around the circumference of a dust inlet of the dust
receptacle, and the groove may include a second groove that is
connected to the second rib.
The second connection member may include a groove that is formed on
the dust receptacle, and a rib that is formed on the cleaner body
to be connected to the groove.
The groove may include a first groove that has a ring shape and is
formed around the circumference of the dust receptacle, and the rib
may include a first rib that is connected to the first groove.
The groove may include a second groove that has a ring shape and is
formed around the circumference of the dust inlet of the dust
receptacle, and the rib may include a second rib that is connected
to the second groove.
The moving unit may include a rotation lever, a cam unit that
converts rotary motion of the rotation lever into a reciprocating
motion, and a moving plate that is in contact with one side of the
dust receptacle and performs a reciprocating motion in association
with the cam unit.
The dust receptacle may include a cover that is formed on the lower
part of the dust receptacle to rotate about a hinge axis.
The dust receptacle may further include a cover fixing unit that
fixes the cover to the dust receptacle, a cover releasing unit that
releases the cover from the dust receptacle, and a button that
operates the cover releasing unit.
The button may be formed on the handle.
The cover fixing unit may be formed on the cover, and include a
hook that is formed of an elastic material, and an eye that is
formed on the dust receptacle to receive the hook.
The cover releasing unit may release the cover from the dust
receptacle by pressing one side of the hook.
In order to achieve the above-described and other aspects of
embodiments of the present disclosure, a cleaner that can be used
as upright and canister cleaners is provided, the cleaner including
a brush assembly that draws in dust-laden air in contact with a
cleaning surface, a cleaner body that is connected to the brush
assembly through a suction hose, and comprises a dust receptacle
receiving unit, a dust receptacle that is detachably mounted on the
dust receptacle receiving unit and comprises a handle, a moving
unit that moves the dust receptacle on the dust receptacle
receiving unit to be fixed to the cleaner body, and a connection
unit that fixes the dust receptacle to the cleaner body in two or
more places according to the movement of the dust receptacle, so
that the handle of the dust receptacle is able to be used as a
handle to carry the cleaner body, and a support unit that supports
the cleaner body to be detachably mounted on the brush
assembly.
The brush assembly may include a brush that is in contact with the
cleaning surface, and a suction pipe which is connected to the
brush, and the supporting unit is formed on the suction pipe.
The supporting unit may include a locking unit that fixes the
cleaner body to the suction pipe, and a receiving unit that
receives a lower part of the cleaner body.
The cleaner may further include an upright handle that is formed on
an upper part of the cleaner body to be gripped by a user when the
cleaner is used as an upright cleaner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description and the accompanying drawings of which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaner according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when the cleaner is
used as an upright type;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the cleaner of FIG. 1
when the cleaner is used as a canister type;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaner body according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a dust receptacle
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the dust receptacle
of FIG. 3 and the cleaner body of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the dust receptacle
and the cleaner body when the dust receptacle is mounted in the
cleaner body but is not fixed to the cleaner body; and
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the dust receptacle
and the cleaner body when the dust receptacle is fixed to the
cleaner body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT
DISCLOSURE
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein
like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The
embodiments are described below in order to explain the present
disclosure by referring to the figures.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaner 100, used as an
upright type. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the cleaner
100 when the cleaner 100 is used as a canister type. FIG. 3 is a
perspective view illustrating a cleaner body 110. FIG. 4 is a
perspective view illustrating a dust receptacle 120. FIG. 5 is a
cross-sectional view illustrating the dust receptacle 120 and the
cleaner body 110. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the
dust receptacle 120 and the cleaner body 110 when the dust
receptacle 120 is mounted in the cleaner body 110 but is not fixed
to the cleaner body 110. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view
illustrating the dust receptacle 120 and the cleaner body 110 when
the dust receptacle 120 is fixed to the cleaner body.
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the cleaner 100 includes a brush
assembly 101, a support unit 105, a cleaner body 110, a dust
receptacle 120, a moving unit 130, and a connection unit 140.
The brush assembly 101 is in contact with a surface to be cleaned,
from which it draws dust-laden air. The brush assembly 101 includes
a brush 102, and a suction pipe 103. The brush 102 is in contact
with the surface to be cleaned and includes a roller in order for
the user to conveniently clean the surface to be cleaned. The
dust-laden air drawn into the brush 102 moves to the cleaner body
110 via the suction pipe 103. The suction pipe 103 is connected to
the cleaner body 110 through a flexible suction hose 109.
The support unit 105 supports the cleaner body 110 to be detachably
mounted on the brush assembly 101, and includes a locking unit 106,
and a receiving unit 107. If the cleaner body 110 is mounted on the
brush assembly 101 as shown in FIG. 1, the cleaner body 110 is
fixed to the brush assembly 101 by the support unit 105.
Consequently, the cleaner 100 can be used as an upright cleaner. If
the cleaner body 110 is detached from the brush assembly 101 as
shown in FIG. 2, the cleaner 100 can be used as a canister cleaner.
In order to reduce the volume of the cleaner 100 and the number of
components, the support unit 105 may be formed on the suction pipe
103.
The locking unit 106 detachably fixes the cleaner body 110 to the
brush assembly 101, so diverse structures such as a hook can be
used.
The receiving unit 107 receives a lower part of the cleaner body
110. When the cleaner body 110 is mounted on the brush assembly
101, the receiving unit 107 supports the cleaner body 110 so that
the cleaner body 110 is not separated from the brush assembly 101
due to its weight.
The cleaner body 110 generates suction force to draw in dust-laden
air, and separates dust from the air. That is, a motor (not shown)
in the cleaner body 110 generates a suction force, and a dust
collecting unit (not shown) in the cleaner body 110 separates dust
from the air. The cleaner body 110 includes a dust receptacle
receiving unit 111, and an upright handle 112.
The dust receptacle receiving unit 111 receives the dust receptacle
120 when the dust receptacle 120 is mounted in the cleaner body
110. The dust receptacle 120 may move a certain distance within the
dust receptacle receiving unit 111, which will be described
below.
The upright handle 112 is formed on an upper part of the cleaner
body 110. If the cleaner 100 is used as an upright cleaner as shown
in FIG. 1, the user can grip the upright handle 112. A handle 121
which is formed on the dust receptacle 120 and which will be
described below can be used to grip the cleaner body 110. However,
since the handle 121 is located at the center of the cleaner body
110 instead of being located on the upper part, it is convenient
for the user to grip the upright handle 112 rather than the handle
121 when the cleaner 100 is used as an upright cleaner. When the
cleaner 100 is used as a canister cleaner as shown in FIG. 2, the
user grips the handle 121 on the dust receptacle 120 rather than
the upright handle 112.
The dust receptacle 120 can be attached to or detached from the
dust receptacle receiving unit 111 of the cleaner body 110, and
collects dust separated by the dust separation unit in the cleaner
body 110. The dust receptacle 120 includes a handle 121, a dust
inlet 122, a cover 123, a cover fixing member 125, a cover
releasing member 127, and a button 128. When the dust receptacle
120 is full of dust, the user may separate the dust receptacle 120
from the cleaner body 110, throw out the collected dust, and
remount the dust receptacle 120 in the cleaner body 110.
The handle 121 is formed at the front surface of the dust
receptacle 120 so that the user can grip the dust receptacle 120
conveniently. In a conventional cleaner, a handle which is formed
on a dust receptacle is used to carry only the dust receptacle.
However, since the dust receptacle 120 is firmly connected to the
cleaner body 110 by the connection unit 140, the handle 121 on the
dust receptacle 120 can be used to carry the cleaner body 110 as
well as the dust receptacle 120. For example, when the cleaner 100
is used as a canister cleaner as shown in FIG. 2, the user can
carry the cleaner body 110 by holding the handle 121 on the dust
receptacle 120.
The dust separated by the dust separating unit of the cleaner body
110 enters the dust receptacle 120 through the dust inlet 122.
The cover 123 is formed on a lower part of the dust receptacle 120
so as to rotate about a hinge axis 124. Therefore, when the user
empties the dust receptacle 120, he or she needs to only open the
cover 123 without turning the dust receptacle 120 upside down.
Consequently, the user can empty the dust receptacle 120 more
conveniently.
With reference to FIG. 5, the cover fixing member 125 fixes the
cover 123 to the dust receptacle 120. When the dust receptacle 120
is emptied and remounted in the cleaner body 110, the cover 123
must be fixed to the dust receptacle 120 by the cover fixing member
125. The cover fixing member 125 includes a hook 125a, and an eye
125b.
The hook 125a is formed on the cover 123 and is formed of an
elastic material.
The eye 125b is formed on the dust receptacle 120, and receives the
hook 125a at a location corresponding to the hook 125a. If the
cover 123 rotates about the hinge axis 124 counterclockwise (as
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) to be fixed to the dust receptacle 120, the
hook 125a hooks into the eye 126b. If the cover 123 rotates more,
the elastic hook 125a is hooked in the eye 125b and the cover 123
is fixed to the dust receptacle 120.
The cover releasing member 127 releases the cover 123 from the
cover fixing member 125. As shown in FIG. 5, if one side of the
hook 125a is pressed downwards, the elastic hook 125a is released
and the cover 123 is thereby opened.
The button 128 operates the cover releasing member 127 to release
the cover 123. When the dust receptacle 120 is full of dust, the
user carries the dust receptacle 120 using the handle 121 to dump
it, and if the user presses the button 128, the cover releasing
member 127 releases the cover 123 and the cover 123 is thus open.
Accordingly, the button 128 is preferably formed on the handle 121
so that the user can easily press the button 128 while holding the
handle 121 and can thus dump the dust conveniently.
The moving unit 130 moves the dust receptacle 120, which is mounted
in the dust receptacle receiving unit 111, to be fixed to the
cleaner body 110. The dust receptacle 120 is fixed to the cleaner
body 110 in two or more places.
The moving unit 130 includes a rotation lever 131, a cam unit 132,
and a moving plate 133, and is formed on a lower part of the dust
receptacle receiving unit 111.
The rotation lever 131 rotates about an axis. If the user moves the
rotation lever 131 right or left, the moving plate 132 moves
upwards or downwards, and the dust receptacle 120 thus also moves
upwards or downwards.
The cam unit 132 converts the rotary motion of the rotation lever
131 into a reciprocating motion. Since this operation of the cam
unit 142 is well known to those skilled in the related art,
detailed description is omitted here.
The moving plate 133 is in contact with one side of the dust
receptacle 120, and performs a reciprocating motion in association
with the cam unit 132. In this exemplary embodiment, the moving
plate 133 is in contact with a lower surface of the dust receptacle
120, and moves the dust receptacle 120 upwards or downwards.
Such a structure of the moving unit 130 is merely an exemplary
embodiment, and diverse structures of the moving unit 130 can be
applied provided the dust receptacle 120 can move in the dust
receptacle receiving unit 111.
The connection unit 140 connects the dust receptacle 120 to the
cleaner body 110 in two or more places when the moving unit 130
moves the dust receptacle 120 to be fixed to the cleaner body 110.
The connection unit 140 includes a first connection member 141, and
a second connection member 145.
The first connection member 141 connects the lower part of the dust
receptacle 120 to the cleaner body 110, and includes a hook 142
which is formed on the dust receptacle 120, and an eye 143 which is
formed on the cleaner body 110 to correspond to the hook 142 and is
thus connected to the hook 142. As shown in FIG. 6, the hook 142 is
not connected to the eye 143 before the moving unit 130 moves the
dust receptacle 120 upwards. As shown in FIG. 7, if the moving unit
130 moves the dust receptacle 120 upwards and the hook 142 is thus
connected to the eye 143, the lower part of the dust receptacle 120
is fixed to the cleaner body 110.
In this exemplary embodiment, one hook 142 and one eye 143 are
used, but this is merely an example. A plurality of hooks and eyes
can be used at different locations. In addition, the first
connection member can take diverse forms other than the hook and
eye form.
The second connection member 145 connects the upper part of the
dust receptacle 120 to the cleaner body 110, and includes a rib 146
and a groove 147.
The rib 146 is formed on an upper surface of the dust receptacle
120, and includes a first rib 146a which has a ring shape and is
formed at the circumference of the dust receptacle 120, and a
second rib 146b which has a ring shape and is formed at the
circumference of the dust inlet 122 of the dust receptacle 120.
The groove 147 is formed on the cleaner body 110 to correspond to
the rib 146 and be connected to the rib 146, and includes a first
groove 147a which is connected to the first rib 146a, and a second
groove 147b which is connected to the second rib 146b.
A sealing gasket 149 may be formed between the second rib 146b and
the second groove 147b for sealing the dust inlet 122.
As shown in FIG. 6, the rib 146 is not connected to the groove 147
before the moving unit 130 moves the dust receptacle 120 upwards.
As shown in FIG. 7, if the moving unit 130 moves the dust
receptacle 120 upwards and thus the rib 146 is connected to the
groove 147, the upper part of the dust receptacle 120 is fixed to
the cleaner body 110.
As described above, the connection unit 140 connects the dust
receptacle 120 to the cleaner body 110 in two or more places when
the moving unit 130 moves the dust receptacle 120 to be fixed to
the cleaner body 110. That is, the first connection member 141 is
fixed to the lower part of the dust receptacle 110, and the second
connection member 145 is fixed to the upper part of the dust
receptacle 110. Since the upper part and lower part of the dust
receptacle 120 are firmly connected to the cleaner body 110, the
user can carry the cleaner body 110 by holding the handle 121 on
the dust receptacle 120. For example, when the cleaner 100 is used
as a canister cleaner as shown in FIG. 2, the user can clean and
carry the cleaner body 110 using the handle 121 on the dust
receptacle 120. Therefore, the present disclosure provides the
advantage of not requiring a separate handle for carrying the
cleaner body 110.
In the above exemplary embodiment, the rib 146 of the second
connection member 145 is formed on the dust receptacle 120, and the
groove 147 of the second connection member 145 is formed on the
cleaner body 110. Alternatively, the rib 146 of the second
connection member 145 may be formed on the cleaner body 110, and
the groove 147 of the second connection member 145 may be formed on
the dust receptacle 120.
In the cleaner 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure, a method for connecting the dust receptacle 120
to the cleaner body 110 is described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the user fixes the cover 123 to the dust
receptacle 120. The user moves the moving plate 133 at the lowest
location by moving the rotation lever 131. Subsequently, the user
mounts the dust receptacle 120 on the dust receptacle receiving
unit 111 by moving the dust receptacle 120 in the direction
indicated by the arrow. This state is shown in FIG. 6, in which the
dust receptacle 120 is not yet fixed to the cleaner body 110.
As the user moves the rotation lever 131, the moving plate 133 is
raised and the dust receptacle 120 is thus raised. Consequently,
the hook 142 is connected to the eye 143 on the lower part of the
dust receptacle 120, and the first rib 146a and the second rib 146b
are connected to the first groove 147a and the second groove 147b,
respectively, on the upper part of the dust receptacle 120. The
hook 142 and the eye 143 fix the lower part of the dust receptacle
120, and the first rib 146a and the first groove 147a fix the upper
part of the dust receptacle 120. The second rib 146b and the second
groove 147b seals dust entering the dust receptacle 120, and fix
the dust receptacle 120 to the cleaner body 110. Since the dust
receptacle 120 is firmly fixed to the cleaner body 110 in two or
more places, the user can carry the cleaner body 110 by holding the
handle 121 on the dust receptacle 120. For example, when the
cleaner 100 is used as a canister cleaner as shown in FIG. 2, the
user can carry the cleaner body 110 by holding the handle 121 on
the dust receptacle 120.
If the dust receptacle 120 is full of dust, the user moves the
moving plate 133 downwards by moving the rotation lever 131, and
thus can throw dust away from the dust receptacle 120. Due to the
cover 123 which is rotatably formed at the lower part of the dust
receptacle 120 and the button 128 on the handle 121, the user can
empty the dust receptacle 120 with ease.
In the exemplary embodiment, the dust receptacle 120 is mounted in
the cleaner body 110 in the direction of the rear side of the dust
receptacle 120, and the dust receptacle 120 is fixed to the cleaner
body 110 by being moved upwards, but this is merely an example. The
direction in which the dust receptacle 120 is mounted and fixed can
vary according to the structure of the cleaner 100. For example,
the dust receptacle 120 may be mounted in the direction of one side
of the dust receptacle 120, and the dust receptacle 120 may be
fixed to the cleaner body 110 by being moved downwards.
As can be appreciated from the above description, the handle for
the dust receptacle and the handle for the cleaner body are not
needed separately, so that the process of manufacturing the cleaner
and the number of components can be reduced. Furthermore, the
cleaner can be slim and thus the degree of freedom for designing
appearance of the cleaner can increase.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to
certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that various changes in form and details may be made
therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
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